Abstract:

Use of a composition comprising silicon, oxygen and at least one of
calcium, potassium, or titanium, as a material for coating an equipment
or as a constituent material of equipment, intended to be in contact with
a mixture containing a chlorohydrin, hydrogen chloride and water. The use
of the composition may provide a method for reducing corrosion of the
equipment, for decreasing the frequency of replacement of the equipment
and/or for lowering the risks linked to equipment breakage and leak. The
equipment which is intended to be in contact with the mixture may be used
in a process for manufacturing a chlorohydrin, in which a
polyhydroxylated aliphatic hydrocarbon, an ester of a polyhydroxylated
aliphatic hydrocarbon or a mixture of the two, is reacted with a
chlorinating agent that contains hydrogen chloride.

Claims:

1. A method for reducing corrosion of an equipment intended to be in
contact with a mixture containing a chlorohydrin, hydrogen chloride and
water, said method comprising utilizing a composition comprising silicon,
oxygen and calcium as a material for coating said equipment or as a
constituent material of equipment, wherein silicon is present in an
amount higher than or equal to 235 g of Si per kg of composition and
calcium is present in an amount lower than or equal to 25 g of Ca per kg
of composition.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the composition comprises in
addition potassium in an amount higher than or equal to 4 g of K per kg
of composition.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the composition comprises in
addition titanium in an amount lower than or equal to 10 g of Ti per kg
of composition.

4. A method for reducing corrosion of an equipment intended to be in
contact with a mixture containing a chlorohydrin, hydrogen chloride and
water, said method comprising utilizing a composition comprising silicon,
oxygen and potassium as a material for coating said equipment or as a
constituent material of equipment, wherein, silicon is present in an
amount higher than or equal to 235 g of Si per kg of composition and
potassium is present in an amount higher than or equal to 4 g of K per kg
of composition.

5. The method according to claim 4 wherein the composition comprises in
addition titanium in an amount lower than or equal to 10 g of Ti per kg
of composition.

6. A method for reducing corrosion of an equipment intended to be in
contact with a mixture containing a chlorohydrin, hydrogen chloride and
water, said method comprising utilizing a composition comprising silicon,
oxygen and titanium as a material for coating said equipment or as a
constituent material of equipment, wherein silicon is present in an
amount higher than or equal to 235 g of Si per kg of composition and
titanium is present in an amount lower than or equal to 10 g of Ti per kg
of composition.

7. The method according to claim 2 wherein the composition comprises in
addition at least one of the elements selected from the group consisting
of sodium, aluminium, magnesium, cobalt, zirconium, barium, iron,
strontium and zinc.

8. The method according to claim 2, wherein the ratio between potassium
and calcium expressed in equivalent of electrical charges is higher than
or equal to 0.05 and lower than equal to 2.

9. The method according to claim 1 wherein the composition is enamel;
wherein the enamel is a component of a material for coating an equipment
formed in steel; wherein the material for coating the equipment comprises
at least two superposed layers, an inner layer and an outer layer;
wherein the outer layer comprises the enamel; and wherein the outer layer
has a thickness, measured by scanning electron microscopy, which is
greater than or equal to 0.2 mm and lower than or equal to 2 mm.

10-13. (canceled)

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the contact with the mixture
containing a chlorohydrin, hydrogen chloride and water, is carried out
under at least one of the following conditions:at a temperature higher
than or equal to 60.degree. C. and lower than or equal to 200.degree.
C.,at a pressure higher than or equal to 0.04 bar absolute and lower than
or equal to 20 bar absolute, andwherein the chlorohydrin in the mixture
is present as is and/or in the form of esters, the mixture containingthe
chlorohydrin in an amount expressed in moles of chlorohydrin per kg of
mixture, greater than or equal to 0.1 and lower than or equal to 8,the
hydrogen chloride in an amount greater than or equal to 1 g per kg of
mixture and lower than or equal to 750 g/kg of mixture,water in an amount
greater than or equal to 5 g/kg of mixture and lower than or equal to 900
g/kg of mixture, orany combinations of two of more thereof.

15. The method according to claim 3 wherein the equipment is selected from
containers where compounds are stored, chemical reactions and/or physical
operations are carried out, tubing, valves, and couplings that connect
these containers, parts that ensure the leak tightness at these
couplings, instruments needed to transfer compounds between the
containers, instruments and apparatus for measuring various parameters
needed to control storage, transfer of compounds or to implementation of
chemical reactions and physical operations.

16. The method according to claim 1 wherein the mixture containing the
chlorohydrin, hydrogen chloride and water is obtained by reacting a
polyhydroxylated aliphatic hydrocarbon, an ester of a polyhydroxylated
aliphatic hydrocarbon or a mixture of the two, with a chlorinating agent
that contains hydrogen chloride.

17. The method according to claim 16 wherein the chlorohydrin is selected
from the group consisting of monochloropropanediol, dichloropropanol and
mixtures thereof, and wherein the polyhydroxylated aliphatic hydrocarbon
is glycerol.

18. A process for manufacturing a chlorohydrin comprising several steps,
in which a polyhydroxylated aliphatic hydrocarbon, an ester of a
polyhydroxylated aliphatic hydrocarbon or a mixture of the two, is
reacted with a chlorinating agent that contains hydrogen chloride,
comprising utilizing the method according to claim 3.

19. The process according to claim 18, being followed by a process for
dehydrochlorinating the chlorohydrin to manufacture an epoxide.

20. The process according to claim 19 wherein the epoxide is
epichlorohydrin, and wherein the obtained epichlorohydrin is submitted to
a reaction with at least one compound selected from the group consisting
of monoalcohols, monocarboxylic acids, polyols, polyamines, amino
alcohols, polyimides, polyamides, polycarboxylic acids, ammonia, amines,
polyaminoamides, polyimines, amine salts, phosphoric acid, phosphoric
acid salts, phosphorus oxychlorides, phosphoric acid esters, phosphonic
acids, phosphonic acid esters, phosphonic acid salts, phosphinic acids,
phosphinic acid esters, phosphinic acid salts, phosphine oxides,
phosphines, ethoxylated alcohols, alkylene or phenylene oxides, and
mixture of at least two of them, or wherein epichlorohydrin is submitted
to a reaction of homopolymerization, in order to manufacture epoxy resins
or glycidyl ethers or glycidyl esters or products usable as coagulants or
wet-strength resins or cationizing agents or flame retardants or
ingredients for detergents or epichlorohydrin elastomers.

21. The method according to claim 1 wherein the composition comprises in
addition titanium in an amount lower than or equal to 10 g of Ti per kg
of composition.

22. The method according to claim 3 wherein the composition comprises in
addition at least one of the elements selected from the group consisting
of sodium, aluminium, magnesium, cobalt, zirconium, barium, iron,
strontium, and zinc.

23. The method according to claim 5 wherein the composition comprises in
addition at least one of the elements selected from the group consisting
of sodium, aluminium, magnesium, cobalt, zirconium, barium, iron,
strontium, and zinc.

24. The method according to claim 21 wherein the composition comprises in
addition at least one of the elements selected from the group consisting
of sodium, aluminium, magnesium, cobalt, zirconium, barium, iron,
strontium, and zinc.

25. The method according to claim 2, wherein the ratio between potassium
and calcium expressed in equivalent of electrical charges is higher than
or equal to 0.05 and lower than equal to 2.

26. The method according to claim 4 wherein the composition is enamel,
wherein the enamel is a component of a material for coating an equipment
formed in steel, wherein the material for coating the equipment comprises
at least two superposed layers, an inner layer and an outer layer and
wherein the outer layer comprises the enamel, and wherein the outer layer
has a thickness, measured by scanning electron microscopy, which is
greater than or equal to 0.2 mm and lower than or equal to 2 mm.

27. The method according to claim 6 wherein the composition is enamel,
wherein the enamel is a component of a material for coating an equipment
formed in steel, wherein the material for coating the equipment comprises
at least two superposed layers, an inner layer and an outer layer and
wherein the outer layer comprises the enamel, and wherein the outer layer
has a thickness, measured by scanning electron microscopy, which is
greater than or equal to 0.2 mm and lower than or equal to 2 mm.

28. The method according to claim 3 wherein the composition is enamel,
wherein the enamel is a component of a material for coating an equipment
formed in steel, wherein the material for coating the equipment comprises
at least two superposed layers, an inner layer and an outer layer and
wherein the outer layer comprises the enamel, and wherein the outer layer
has a thickness, measured by scanning electron microscopy, which is
greater than or equal to 0.2 mm and lower than or equal to 2 mm.

29. A method for decreasing the frequency of replacement of an equipment
intended to be in contact with a mixture containing a chlorohydrin,
hydrogen chloride and water and lowering the risks linked to equipment
breakage and leak, said method comprising utilizing a composition as a
material for coating said equipment or as a constituent material of said
equipment, wherein said composition comprises oxygen and silicon in an
amount higher than or equal to 235 g of Si per kg of composition and
further comprises at least one element selected from the group consisting
of calcium present in an amount lower than or equal to 25 g of Ca per kg
of composition; potassium present in an amount higher than or equal to 4
g of K per kg of composition; and titanium present in an amount lower
than or equal to 10 g of Ti per kg of composition.

Description:

[0001]The present patent application claims the benefit of the U.S.
Provisional Patent Application USP 60/976,845 filed on 2 Oct. 2007, the
content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002]The present invention relates to the use of a composition containing
silicon (Si) and oxygen in equipments. More specifically, the composition
is used in an equipment intended to be in contact with a mixture
containing a chlorohydrin, hydrogen chloride and water.

[0003]Chlorohydrins are reaction intermediates in the manufacture of
epoxides. Dichloropropanol, for example, is a reaction intermediate in
the manufacture of epichlorohydrin and epoxy resins (Kirk-Othmer
Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, Fourth Edition, 1992, Vol. 2, page
156, John Wiley & sons Inc.).

[0004]According to known processes, dichloropropanol can be obtained in
particular by hypochlorination of allyl chloride, by chlorination of
allyl alcohol or by hydrochlorination of glycerol. The latter process
exhibits the advantage that the dichloropropanol can be obtained starting
from fossil raw materials or renewable raw materials and it is known that
petrochemical natural resources, from which fossil materials originate,
for example oil, natural gas or coal, available on the earth are limited.
The latter process generates mixtures of chlorhydrin, water and hydrogen
chloride.

[0005]International applications WO 2005/054167 and WO 2006/100317 of
SOLVAY SA and WO 2006/020234 describe a process for manufacturing
dichloropropanol by reaction between glycerol and hydrogen chloride.
Several corrosion resistant materials are mentioned for the fabrication
of equipment used in the process. However, some of those materials have a
resistance to corrosion by the reaction mixture at the process conditions
which is not optimal. This would result in a risk of contamination of the
process product by equipment materials components and request therefore
replacement of the equipment susceptible of negatively affect the economy
of the process.

[0006]The invention aims to solve this problem.

[0007]In a first embodiment, the invention therefore relates to the use of
a composition comprising silicon, oxygen and calcium, wherein silicon is
present in an amount higher than or equal to 235 g of Si per kg of
composition and calcium is present in an amount lower than or equal to 25
g of Ca per kg of composition, as a material for coating an equipment or
as a constituent material of equipment, intended to be in contact with a
mixture containing a chlorohydrin, hydrogen chloride and water.

[0008]In a second embodiment, the invention therefore relates to the use
of a composition comprising silicon, oxygen and potassium, wherein,
silicon is present in an amount higher than or equal to 235 g of Si per
kg of composition and potassium is present in an amount higher than or
equal to 4 g of K per kg of composition, as a material for coating an
equipment or as a constituent material of equipment, intended to be in
contact with a mixture containing a chlorohydrin, hydrogen chloride and
water.

[0009]In a third embodiment, the invention therefore relates to the use of
a composition comprising silicon, oxygen and titanium, wherein silicon is
present in an amount higher than or equal to 235 g of Si per kg of
composition and titanium is present in an amount lower than or equal to
10 g of Ti per kg of composition, as a material for coating an equipment
or as a constituent material of equipment, intended to be in contact with
a mixture containing a chlorohydrin, hydrogen chloride and water.

[0010]In the use according to the invention, the composition may be an
organic composition or an inorganic composition. The composition is
preferably an inorganic composition.

[0011]In the use according to the invention, the composition may be in any
physical state. It is preferably in a glassy state. By glassy state one
intends to denote a rigid uncrystallized state. Some enamels are examples
of inorganic compositions in the glassy state. By enamel, one intends to
denote a fused vitreous superficial coating containing mainly silicon
oxide.

[0012]In the use according to the invention, the composition is preferably
an enamel.

[0013]One of the essential characteristics of the first embodiment of the
invention resides in the low content of calcium in the composition which
renders it less prone to corrosion by the mixture containing a
chlorohydrin, hydrogen chloride and water.

[0014]One of the essential characteristics of the second embodiment of the
invention resides in the high content of potassium in the composition
which renders it less prone to corrosion by the mixture containing a
chlorohydrin, hydrogen chloride and water.

[0015]One of the essential characteristics of the third embodiment of the
invention resides in the low content of titanium in the composition which
renders it less prone to corrosion by the mixture containing a
chlorohydrin, hydrogen chloride and water.

[0016]It has indeed surprisingly been found that the above compositions
are very resistant to the corrosion by mixtures containing a
chlorohydrin, water and hydrogen chloride, which corrosiveness has
surprisingly been found higher than that of mixture containing only water
and hydrogen chloride.

[0017]The advantages of the use according to the invention are among
others: [0018]A decrease of the frequency of replacement of equipment
[0019]A lowering of the risks linked to equipment breakage and leak
[0020]A lessening of the contamination of process products by the
equipment material components.

[0021]In the three embodiments of the use according to the invention, the
silicon content of the composition, per kg of composition, is frequently
higher than or equal to 275 g of Si, often higher than or equal to 300 g
of Si and in many cases higher than or equal to 320 g of Si. That silicon
content is generally lower than or equal to 400 g of Si, frequently lower
than or equal to 350 g of Si and often lower than or equal to 335 g of
Si.

[0022]In the first embodiment of the use according to the invention, the
calcium content of the composition, per kg of composition, is frequently
lower than or equal to 20 g of Ca and often lower than or equal to 15 g
of Ca. That content is frequently higher than or equal to 0.1 g of Ca,
often higher than or equal to 1 g of Ca, in many cases higher than or
equal to 5 g of Ca and in particular higher than or equal to 10 g of Ca.

[0023]In a first variant of the first embodiment of the use according to
the invention, the composition may in addition comprise potassium. The
potassium content of the composition, per kg of composition, is generally
higher than or equal to 0.1 g of K, often higher than or equal to 1 g of
K, in many cases higher than or equal to 4 g of K and frequently higher
than or equal to 10 g of K. That potassium content is usually lower than
or equal to 60 g of K, often lower than or equal to 50 g of K, in many
cases lower than or equal to 30 g of K and frequently lower than or equal
to 25 g of K.

[0024]In a second variant of the first embodiment of the use according to
the invention, the composition may in addition comprise titanium. The
titanium content of the composition, per kg of composition, is generally
higher than or equal to 0.1 g of Ti, often higher than or equal to 1 g of
Ti, in many cases higher than or equal to 4 g of Ti and frequently higher
than or equal to 6 g of Ti. That titanium content is usually lower than
or equal to 60 g of Ti, generally lower than or equal to 40 g of Ti,
often lower than or equal to 20 g of Ti, in many cases lower than or
equal to 10 g of Ti and frequently lower than or equal to 8 g of Ti.

[0025]In a third variant of the first embodiment of the use according to
the invention, the composition often contains, per kg of composition,
silicon in an amount higher than or equal to 300 g of Si, calcium in an
amount lower than or equal to 25 g of Ca, and potassium in an amount
higher than or equal to 4 g of K.

[0026]In a fourth variant of the first embodiment of the use according to
the invention, the composition frequently contains, per kg of
composition, silicon in an amount higher than or equal to 300 g of Si,
calcium in an amount lower than or equal to 25 g of Ca and titanium in an
amount lower than or equal to 10 g of Ti.

[0027]In a fifth variant of the first embodiment of the use according to
the invention, the composition often contains, per kg of composition,
silicon in an amount higher than or equal to 300 g of Si, calcium in an
amount lower than or equal to 25 g of Ca, potassium in an amount higher
than or equal to 4 g of K and titanium in an amount lower than or equal
to 10 g of Ti.

[0028]In the second embodiment of the use according to the invention, the
potassium content of the composition, per kg of composition, is often
higher than or equal to 6 g of K, in many cases higher than or equal to 8
g of K and frequently higher than or equal to 12 g of K. That potassium
content is usually lower than or equal to 60 g of K, often lower than or
equal to 50 g of K, in many cases lower than or equal to 30 g of K and
frequently lower than or equal to 25 g of K.

[0029]In a first variant of the second embodiment of the use according to
the invention, the composition may in addition comprise calcium. The
calcium content of the composition, per kg of composition, is usually
lower than or equal to 50 g of Ca, often lower than or equal to 25 g of
Ca and in many cases lower than or equal to 15 g of Ca. That content is
frequently higher than or equal to 0.1 g of Ca, often higher than or
equal to 1 g of Ca, in many cases higher than or equal to 5 g of Ca and
in particular higher than or equal to 10 g of Ca.

[0030]In a second variant of the second embodiment of the use according to
the invention, the composition may in addition comprise titanium. The
titanium content of the composition, per kg of composition, is generally
higher than or equal to 0.1 g of Ti, often higher than or equal to 1 g of
Ti, in many cases higher than or equal to 4 g of Ti and frequently higher
than or equal to 6 g of Ti. That titanium content is usually lower than
or equal to 60 g of Ti, generally lower than or equal to 40 g of Ti,
often lower than or equal to 20 g of Ti, in many cases lower than or
equal to 10 g of Ti and frequently lower than or equal to 8 g of Ti.

[0031]In a third variant of the second embodiment of the use according to
the invention which is identical to the third variant of the first
embodiment, the composition often contains, per kg of composition,
silicon in an amount higher than or equal to 300 g of Si, potassium in an
amount higher than or equal to 4 g of K and calcium in an amount lower
than or equal to 25 g of Ca.

[0032]In a fourth variant of the second embodiment of the use according to
the invention, the composition frequently contains, per kg of
composition, silicon in an amount higher than or equal to 300 g of Si,
potassium in an amount higher than or equal to 4 g of K and titanium in
an amount lower than or equal to 10 g of Ti.

[0033]In a fifth variant of the second embodiment of the use according to
the invention which is identical to the fifth variant of the first
embodiment, the composition often contains, per kg of composition,
silicon in an amount higher than or equal to 300 g of Si, potassium in an
amount higher than or equal to 4 g of K, calcium in an amount lower than
or equal to 25 g of Ca, and titanium in an amount lower than or equal to
10 g of Ti.

[0034]In the third embodiment of the use according to the invention, the
titanium content of the composition, per kg of composition, is generally
higher than or equal to 0.1 g of Ti, often higher than or equal to 1 g of
Ti, in many cases higher than or equal to 4 g of Ti and frequently higher
than or equal to 5 g of Ti. That titanium content is often lower than or
equal to 8 g of Ti and in many cases lower than or equal to 6 g of Ti.

[0035]In a first variant of the third embodiment of the use according to
the invention, the composition may in addition comprise potassium. The
potassium content of the composition, per kg of composition, is generally
higher than or equal to 0.1 g of K, often higher than or equal to 1 g of
K, in many cases higher than or equal to 4 g of K and frequently higher
than or equal to 10 g of K. That potassium content is usually lower than
or equal to 60 g of K, often lower than or equal to 50 g of K, in many
cases lower than or equal to 30 g of K and frequently lower than or equal
to 25 g of K.

[0036]In a second variant of the third embodiment of the use according to
the invention, the composition may in addition comprise calcium. The
calcium content of the composition, per kg of composition, is usually
lower than or equal to 50 g of Ca, often lower than or equal to 25 g of
Ca and in many cases lower than or equal to 15 g of Ca. That content is
frequently higher than or equal to 0.1 g of Ca, often lower than or equal
to 1 g of Ca, in many cases higher than or equal to 5 g of Ca and in
particular higher than or equal to 10 g of Ca.

[0037]In a third variant of the third embodiment of the use according to
the invention which is identical to the fourth variant of the second
embodiment, the composition often contains, per kg of composition,
silicon in an amount higher than or equal to 300 g of Si, titanium in an
amount lower than or equal to 10 g of Ti and potassium in an amount
higher than or equal to 4 g of K.

[0038]In a fourth variant of the third embodiment of the use according to
the invention which is identical to the fourth variant of the first
embodiment, the composition frequently contains, per kg of composition,
silicon in an amount higher than or equal to 300 g of Si, titanium in an
amount lower than or equal to 10 g of Ti and calcium in an amount lower
than or equal to 25 g of Ca.

[0039]In a fifth variant of the third embodiment of the use according to
the invention which is identical to the fifth variant of the first
embodiment, the composition often contains, per kg of composition,
silicon in an amount higher than or equal to 300 g of Si, titanium in an
amount lower than or equal to 10 g of Ti, potassium in an amount higher
than or equal to 4 g of K and calcium in an amount lower than or equal to
25 g of Ca.

[0040]In the first three embodiments of the use according to the
invention, the composition may in addition comprise at least one of the
elements selected from sodium, aluminium, magnesium, cobalt, zirconium,
barium, iron, strontium and zinc.

[0041]The content of sodium, per kg of composition, is usually higher than
or equal to 70 g of Na, often higher than or equal to 80 g of Na and
frequently higher than or equal to 90 g of Na. That sodium content is
generally lower than or equal to 150 g of Na, in many cases lower than or
equal to 130 g of Na and frequently lower than or equal to 110 g of Na.

[0042]The content of aluminium, per kg of composition, is usually higher
than or equal to 0.1 g of Al, often higher than or equal to 1 g of Al and
frequently higher than or equal to 5 g of Al. That aluminium content is
generally lower than or equal to 15 g of Al, in many cases lower than or
equal to 10 g of Al and frequently lower than or equal to 8 g of Al.

[0043]The content of magnesium, per kg of composition, is usually higher
than or equal to 0.1 g of Mg, often higher than or equal to 1 g of Mg and
frequently higher than or equal to 5 g of Mg. That magnesium content is
generally lower than or equal to 10 g of Mg, in many cases lower than or
equal to 8 g of Mg and frequently lower than or equal to 6 g of Mg.

[0044]The content of cobalt, per kg of composition, is usually higher than
or equal to 0.1 g of Co, often higher than or equal to 1 g of Co and
frequently higher than or equal to 5 g of Co. That cobalt content is
generally lower than or equal to 10 g of Co and in many cases lower than
or equal to 8 g of Co.

[0045]The content of zirconium, per kg of composition, is usually higher
than or equal to 25 g of Zr, often higher than or equal to 35 g of Zr and
frequently higher than or equal to 50 g of Zr. That zirconium content is
generally lower than or equal to 70 g of Zr and in many cases lower than
or equal to 60 g of Zr.

[0046]The content of barium, per kg of composition, is usually higher than
or equal to 0.1 g of Ba, often higher than or equal to 1 g of Ba and
frequently higher than or equal to 5 g of Ba. That barium content is
generally lower than or equal to 30 g of Ba, in many cases lower than or
equal to 20 g of Ba and frequently lower than or equal to 10 g of Ba.

[0047]The content of iron per kg of composition, is usually higher than or
equal to 0.1 g of Fe, often higher than or equal to 1 g of Fe and
frequently higher than or equal to 5 g of Fe. That iron content is
generally lower than or equal to 10 g of Fe and in many cases lower than
or equal to 8 g of Fe.

[0048]The content of strontium, per kg of composition, is usually higher
than or equal to 0.1 g of Sr, often higher than or equal to 1 g of Sr and
frequently higher than or equal to 5 g of Sr. That strontium content is
generally lower than or equal to 15 g of Sr, in many cases lower than or
equal to 10 g of Sr and frequently lower than or equal to 8 g of Sr.

[0049]The content of zinc, per kg of composition, is usually higher than
or equal to 0.1 g of Zn, often higher than or equal to 1 g of Zn and
frequently higher than or equal to 5 g of Zn. That zinc content is
generally lower than or equal to 15 g of Zn, in many cases lower than or
equal to 10 g of Zn and frequently lower than or equal to 8 g of Zn.

[0050]In the first three embodiments of the use according to the
invention, the composition may in addition comprise at least one of the
elements selected from chromium, copper, manganese, nickel, phosphorus
and vanadium, in traces concentration, i.e., lower than or equal to 0.1 g
of element.

[0051]In the first three embodiments of the use according to the
invention, the ratio between potassium and calcium expressed in
equivalent of electrical charges, i.e. number of moles of K divided by 2
times the number of moles of Ca, is usually higher than or equal to 0.05,
often higher than or equal to 0.1, frequently higher than or equal to
0.2, in many case higher than or equal to 0.4 and in particular higher
than or equal to 0.6. That ratio is generally lower than or equal to 2,
frequently lower than or equal to 1 and often lower than or equal to 0.8.

[0052]In the first three embodiments of the use according to the
invention, the ratio between the alkaline metals and the alkaline-earth
metals expressed in equivalent of electrical charges, i.e. the sum of the
number of moles of alkali metals divided by 2 times the sum of the number
of moles of the alkaline-earth metals, is usually higher than or equal to
2.8, often higher than or equal to 3.0, frequently higher than or equal
to 3.2 and in many case higher than or equal to 3.4. That ratio is
generally lower than or equal to 4, frequently lower than or equal to 3.8
and often lower than or equal to 3.7.

[0053]In the composition used in the invention, those elements are
generally present in combination with the oxygen present in the
composition, preferably in the form of oxides. These oxides may be
hydrated to a greater or lesser extent. The oxides can be single oxides
or mixed oxides. Single oxides are for example, alkaline metal oxides
such as Li2O, Na2O, K2O, alkaline-earth metal oxides, like
MgO, CaO, SrO, BaO, oxides of Family Ma of the Periodic Table of the
Elements like B2O3, Al2O3, oxides of Families IVa and
Va of the Periodic Table of the Elements like PbO an Sb2O3, and
oxides from Families IIb to VIIb and VIII of the Periodic Table of the
Elements like ZnO, CoO, ZrO2, TiO2 and CeO2. An example of
a mixed oxide is KNa2O. These elements may also be present as
fluorides like for instance SiF4, Na2F2 and CaF2.

[0054]In the composition used in the invention, those elements are
preferably present in combination with the oxygen, preferably in the form
of oxides.

[0055]One particularly preferred composition in the use according to the
invention comprises oxygen and per kg of composition, 100 g of Na, 315 g
of Si, 8.1 g of K, 13 g of Ca, 7.6 g of Co, 63 g of Zr and 22 g of Ba.
The composition contains, in addition, aluminium, magnesium, titanium,
iron, strontium and zinc, each in an amount less than 5 g/kg of
composition. That composition has been obtained by analysis of the outer
layer of an enamelled steel bar sample provided by the firm DE DIETRICH.

[0056]Another particularly preferred composition in the use according to
the invention comprises oxygen and per kg of composition, 78 g of Na, 9.6
g of Al, 330 g of Si, 19 g of K, 14 g of Ca, 6.2 g of Co, 34 g of Zr, 6.3
g of Ba, 5.4 g of Fe, 12 g of Sr and 11 g of Zn. The composition
contains, in addition, magnesium and titanium, each in an amount less
than 5 g/kg of composition. That composition has been obtained by
analysis of the outer layer of an enamelled steel bar sample provided by
the firm PFAUDLER.

[0057]Another particularly preferred composition in the use according to
the invention comprises oxygen and per kg of composition, 82 g of Na, 12
g of Al, 340 g of Si, 14 g of K, 15 g of Ca, 5.4 g of Ti, 7.8 g of Co, 22
g of Zr and 4.3 g of Sr. The composition contains, in addition, barium,
iron and zinc, each in an amount less than 5 g/kg. That composition has
been obtained by analysis of the outer layer of an enamelled steel bar
sample provided by the firm THALE.

[0058]The values of the contents of the elements in the compositions are
given with a relative error of ±5%.

[0059]It has been found that such compositions have an excellent
resistance to corrosion by the mixture containing a chlorohydrin,
hydrogen chloride and water. In particular, when used as a coating
material, they make it possible to greatly reduce the cost of equipment
resistant to corrosion by the aforementioned mixture.

[0060]The use of the composition according to the invention as a component
of a material for coating equipment or as a constituent material of
equipment, depends on the numerous factors linked to the usage conditions
of the equipment (temperature and pressure), to the nature of the
chlorohydrin (monochlorohydrin, dichlorohydrin, chemical nature), to the
presence of another compound such as a carboxylic acid for example, to
the hydrogen chloride, to the composition of the mixture containing the
chlorohydrin, hydrogen chloride and water, to the nature and to the
implementation method of the equipment and to the features of the
equipment to be protected.

[0061]The factors linked to the hydrogen chloride are, for example, its
chemical purity and its physical state (dissolved, dispersed, gaseous).

[0062]The factors linked to the equipment are, for example, the shape,
size, complexity, access to the surfaces, easiness to control the surface
characteristics (like the temperature) of the equipment to be protected.

[0063]In the use of the composition according to the invention, the
contact with the mixture containing a chlorohydrin, hydrogen chloride and
water, is generally carried out at a temperature greater than or equal to
60° C., preferably greater than or equal to 90° C., more
preferably greater than or equal to 110° C. and most particularly
preferably greater than or equal to 125° C. This temperature is
generally less than or equal to 200° C., preferably less than or
equal to 180° C., more preferably less than or equal to
160° C. and most particularly preferably less than or equal to
145° C.

[0064]In the use of the composition according to the invention, the
contact with the mixture containing a chlorohydrin, hydrogen chloride and
water, is generally carried out at a pressure greater than or equal to
0.04 bar absolute, preferably greater than or equal to 0.2 bar absolute,
more preferably greater than or equal to 0.5 bar absolute and most
particularly preferably greater than or equal to 1.1 bar absolute. This
pressure is generally less than or equal to 20 bar absolute, preferably
less than or equal to 15 bar absolute, more preferably less than or equal
to 5 bar absolute and most particularly preferably less than or equal to
1.3 bar absolute.

[0065]The chlorohydrin may be present as is, that is to say not combined
chemically, and/or in the form of esters with a carboxylic acid
optionally present in the mixture of hydrogen chloride, water and
chlorohydrin.

[0066]The content of chlorohydrin (as is and/or in the form of esters) of
the mixture in the use according to the invention, expressed in moles of
chlorohydrin per kg of mixture, is generally greater than or equal to
0.1, often greater than or equal to 0.5, frequently greater than or equal
to 1.0 more, frequently greater than or equal to 2.0 and more
specifically greater than or equal to 3.5. This chlorohydrin content is
generally less than or equal to 8 mol/kg, often less than or equal to 7
mol/kg, frequently less than or equal to 5 mol/kg and more specifically
less than or equal to 4.0 mol/kg.

[0068]In this case, the content of chlorohydrin (as is and/or in the form
of esters) of the mixture in the use according to the invention,
expressed in g of chlorohydrin per kg of mixture, is generally greater
than or equal to 50, often greater than or equal to 100, frequently
greater than or equal to 200 and more specifically greater than or equal
to 500. This chlorohydrin content is generally less than or equal to 994
g/kg, often less than or equal to 950 g/kg, frequently less than or equal
to 900 g/kg and more specifically less than or equal to 800 g/kg.

[0069]The hydrogen chloride content of the mixture in the use according to
the invention is generally greater than or equal to 1 g per kg of
mixture, often greater than or equal to 2 g/kg, frequently greater than
or equal to 5 g/kg and more specifically greater than or equal to 7 g/kg.
This hydrogen chloride content is commonly less than or equal to 750
g/kg, in many cases less than or equal to 600 g/kg, usually less than or
equal to 400 g/kg, generally less than or equal to 250 g/kg, often less
than or equal to 200 g/kg, frequently less than or equal to 100 g/kg, in
particular less than or equal to 50 g/kg and more specifically less than
or equal to 20 g/kg.

[0070]The water content of the mixture in the use according to the
invention is generally greater than or equal to 5 g per kg of mixture,
often greater than or equal to 10 g/kg, frequently greater than or equal
to 20 g/kg and more specifically greater than or equal to 50 g/kg. This
water content is generally less than or equal to 900 g/kg, usually less
than or equal to 800 g/kg, commonly less than or equal to 600 g/kg, in
many cases less than or equal to 400 g/kg, often less than or equal to
200 g/kg, frequently less than or equal to 150 g/kg and more specifically
less than or equal to 100 g/kg.

[0071]Other compounds may be present in the mixture in the use according
to the invention. These compounds may, for example, come from the
manufacture of the chlorohydrin and/or hydrogen chloride and/or originate
from water.

[0072]The mixture containing the chlorohydrin, hydrogen chloride and water
may be obtained in any way, for example by reacting a polyhydroxylated
aliphatic hydrocarbon, an ester of a polyhydroxylated aliphatic
hydrocarbon or a mixture of the two, with a chlorinating agent that
contains hydrogen chloride, or during the hypochlorination reaction of a
chloroolefin, or by chlorination of a hydroxylated olefin. The process
for obtaining the mixture containing the chlorohydrin, hydrogen chloride
and water, may carried out in any mode, like for instance, the continuous
mode, the batch mode and the fed-batch mode.

[0073]The term "olefin" is used here to describe a compound containing at
least one carbon-carbon double bond. In general the compound may contain
atoms other than carbon atoms, such as hydrogen atoms and halogens. The
preferred olefins are ethylene, propylene, allyl chloride and mixtures of
at least two thereof.

[0074]The term "polyhydroxylated aliphatic hydrocarbon" refers to a
hydrocarbon which contains at least two hydroxyl groups attached to two
different saturated carbon atoms. The polyhydroxylated aliphatic
hydrocarbon may contain, but is not limited to, from 2 to 60 carbon
atoms.

[0075]Each of the carbons of a polyhydroxylated aliphatic hydrocarbon
carrying the hydroxyl (OH) functional group may not possess more than one
OH group and must be of sp3 hybridization. The carbon atom carrying the
OH group may be primary, secondary or tertiary. The polyhydroxylated
aliphatic hydrocarbon used in the present invention must contain at least
two sp3-hybridized carbon atoms carrying an OH group. The
polyhydroxylated aliphatic hydrocarbon includes any hydrocarbon
containing a vicinal diol (1,2-diol) or a vicinal triol (1,2,3-triol),
including higher orders of these repeating units, which are vicinal or
contiguous. The definition of the polyhydroxylated aliphatic hydrocarbon
also includes, for example, one or more 1,3-, 1,4-, 1,5- and 1,6-diol
functional groups. The polyhydroxylated aliphatic hydrocarbon may also be
a polymer such as polyvinyl alcohol. Geminal diols, for example, are
excluded from this class of polyhydroxylated aliphatic hydrocarbons.

[0077]Polyhydroxylated aliphatic hydrocarbons which can be used in the
present invention include, for example, 1,2-ethanediol (ethylene glycol),
1,2-propanediol (propylene glycol), 1,3-propanediol,
1-chloro-2,3-propanediol (chloropropanediol), 2-chloro-1,3-propanediol
(chloropropanediol), 1,4-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, cyclohexanediols,
1,2-butanediol, 1,2-cyclohexanedimethanol, 1,2,3-propanetriol (also known
as glycerol or glycerin), and mixtures thereof. With preference the
polyhydroxylated aliphatic hydrocarbon used in the present invention
includes, for example, 1,2-ethanediol, 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-propanediol,
chloropropanediol and 1,2,3-propanetriol, and mixtures of at least two
thereof. More preferably the polyhydroxylated aliphatic hydrocarbon used
in the present invention includes, for example, 1,2-ethanediol,
1,2-propanediol, chloropropanediol and 1,2,3-propanetriol and mixtures of
at least two thereof. 1,2,3-Propanetriol, or glycerol, is the most
preferred.

[0078]The esters of polyhydroxylated aliphatic hydrocarbon may be present
in the polyhydroxylated aliphatic hydrocarbon and/or may be produced in
the process of preparing the chlorohydrin and/or may be prepared prior to
the process of preparing the chlorohydrin. Examples of esters of
polyhydroxylated aliphatic hydrocarbon include ethylene glycol
monoacetate, propanediol monoacetates, glycerol monoacetates, glycerol
monostearates, glycerol diacetates and mixtures thereof.

[0079]In the process according to the invention, the esters of the
polyhydroxylated aliphatic hydrocarbon may originate from the reaction of
the polyhydroxylated aliphatic hydrocarbon with an organic acid, before,
during or within the steps which follow the reaction with the
chlorinating agent.

[0080]The term "chlorohydrin" is used here to describe a compound
containing at least one hydroxyl group and at least one chlorine atom
which are attached to different saturated carbon atoms. A chlorohydrin
which contains at least two hydroxyl groups is also a polyhydroxylated
aliphatic hydrocarbon. Hence the starting material and the product of the
reaction may each be chlorohydrins. In that case the "product"
chlorohydrin is more chlorinated than the starting chlorohydrin; in other
words, it has more chlorine atoms and fewer hydroxyl groups than the
starting chlorohydrin. Preferred chlorohydrins are chloroethanol,
chloropropanol, chloropropanediol, dichloropropanol and mixtures of at
least two thereof. Dichloropropanol is particularly preferred.
Chlorohydrins which are more particularly preferred are 2-chloroethanol,
1-chloropropan-2-ol, 2-chloropropan-1-ol, 1-chloropropane-2,3-diol,
2-chloropropane-1,3-diol, 1,3-dichloropropan-2-ol,
2,3-dichloropropan-1-ol and mixtures of at least two thereof.

[0082]In the use according to the invention, the polyhydroxylated
aliphatic hydrocarbon may be obtained starting from fossil raw materials
or starting from renewable raw materials, preferably starting from
renewable raw materials, as described in WO 2005/054167 of SOLVAY SA, the
content of which is incorporated herein by reference, and especially the
passages from page 1, line 26, to page 4, line 2, and as described in WO
2006/100312 of SOLVAY SA, the content of which is incorporated herein by
reference, and especially the passages from page 3, line 29, to page 5,
line 24, and as described in PCT/EP/ of SOLVAY SA, the content of which
is incorporated herein by reference, and especially the passages at page
10, lines 16 to 23, and at page 11, lines 4 to 25.

[0083]In the use according to the invention, the polyhydroxylated
aliphatic hydrocarbon may have an alkali metal and/or alkaline earth
metal content as described in WO 2006/100315 of SOLVAY SA, the content of
which is incorporated herein by reference, and especially the passages
from page 7, line 11, to page 9, line 10.

[0084]In the use according to the invention, the polyhydroxylated
aliphatic hydrocarbon may contain elements other than alkali metals and
alkaline earth metals as described in WO 2006/100319 of SOLVAY SA, the
content of which is incorporated herein by reference, especially the
passages from page 2, line 3 to 8, and from page 6, line 20, to page 9,
line 14.

[0085]In the use according to the invention, the polyhydroxylated
aliphatic hydrocarbon contains generally an amount of heavy compounds
other glycerol and whose boiling temperature under a pressure of 1 bar
absolute is at least 15° C. greater than the boiling temperature
of dichloropropanol as described in WO 2006/100316 of SOLVAY SA the
content of which is incorporated herein by reference, especially the
passages from page 15, line 32, to page 17, line 33.

[0086]In the use according to the invention, the polyhydroxylated
aliphatic hydrocarbon may contain alkylated ethers of the
polyhydroxylated hydrocarbon such as described in WO 2007/144335 of
SOLVAY SA the content of which is incorporated herein by reference,
especially the passages from page 1, line 23, to page 3, line 25.

[0087]In the use according to the invention, the polyhydroxylated
aliphatic hydrocarbon may contain diols, monoalcohols, ketones,
aldehydes, alkyl esters of fatty acids, glycerol esters, carboxylic acids
and salt such as described in PCT/EP2008/057876 of SOLVAY SA the content
of which is incorporated herein by reference, especially the passages
from page 1, line 30, to page 3, line 21, and from page 4, line 3, to
page 6, line 2.

[0088]In the use according to the invention, the polyhydroxylated
aliphatic hydrocarbon may contain nitrogen containing compounds as
described in FR 07/59891 of SOLVAY SA the content of which is
incorporated herein by reference, especially the passages from page 1,
line 28, to page 3, line 20.

[0089]In the use according to the invention, the polyhydroxylated
aliphatic hydrocarbon may contain glycerol oligomers as described in FR
08/52206 of SOLVAY SA the content of which is incorporated herein by
reference, especially the passages from page 1, line 19, to page 4, line
18.

[0090]In the application according to the invention, the mixture
containing the chlorohydrin, hydrogen chloride and water is preferably
obtained during the reaction between a polyhydroxylated aliphatic
hydrocarbon, an ester of a polyhydroxylated aliphatic hydrocarbon or a
mixture of the two, with a chlorinating agent that contains hydrogen
chloride.

[0091]In the reaction for obtaining the mixture containing chlorohydrin,
hydrogen chloride and water, the hydrogen chloride may be a gas,
optionally anhydrous, or an aqueous solution of hydrogen chloride or a
mixture thereof. The hydrogen chloride is often a gas or a mixture of a
gas and an aqueous solution of hydrogen chloride. The hydrogen chloride
may at least partially be obtained from processes such as described in WO
2005/054167 of SOLVAY SA, the content of which is incorporated herein by
reference, especially the passages from page 4, line 32, to page 5, line
35, such as described in WO 2006/106153 of SOLVAY SA, the content of
which is incorporated herein by reference, especially the passages from
page 2, line 10, to page 3, line 20, and from page 11, line 1 to page 18,
line 29, and such as described in WO 2007/144335 of SOLVAY SA, the
content of which is incorporated herein by reference, especially the
passages from page 12, line 14, to page 14, line 21.

[0092]In the reaction for obtaining the mixture containing chlorohydrin,
hydrogen chloride and water, the hydrogen chloride may be purified such
as described in FR 08/56138 of SOLVAY SA, the content of which is
incorporated herein by reference, especially the passages from page 2,
line 33, to page 16, line 21.

[0093]The reaction for obtaining the mixture containing chlorohydrin,
hydrogen chloride and water may be carried out in a reaction medium such
described in WO 2006/106154 of SOLVAY SA, the content of which is
incorporated herein by reference, especially the passages from page 14,
line 15, to page 17, line 10.

[0094]The reaction for obtaining the mixture containing chlorohydrin,
hydrogen chloride and water may be carried out in the presence of a
catalyst such described in WO 2005/054167 of SOLVAY SA, the content of
which is incorporated herein by reference, especially the passages from
page 6, line 24, to page 8, line 15, and such described in WO
2006/020234, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference,
especially the passages from page 12, line 20, to page 18, line 3, and in
FR 07/59891, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference,
especially the passage at page 8, lines 18 to 21.

[0095]The reaction for obtaining the mixture containing chlorohydrin,
hydrogen chloride and water may be carried out for a catalyst
concentration, at a temperature, at a pressure and at a residence time
such described in WO 2005/054167 of SOLVAY SA, the content of which is
incorporated herein by reference, especially the passages from page 8,
line 1, to page 10, line 10.

[0096]The reaction for obtaining the mixture containing chlorohydrin,
hydrogen chloride and water may be carried out such described in WO
2007/054505 of SOLVAY SA, the content of which is incorporated herein by
reference, especially the passages from page 1, line 24 to page 6, line
18.

[0097]The reaction for obtaining the mixture containing chlorohydrin,
hydrogen chloride and water may be carried out in the presence of a
solvent such described in WO 2005/054167 of SOLVAY SA, the content of
which is incorporated herein by reference, especially the passages at
page 11, line 12 to 36.

[0098]The reaction for obtaining the mixture containing chlorohydrin,
hydrogen chloride and water may be carried out in the presence of a
liquid phase comprising heavy compounds other than glycerol such
described in WO 2006/100316 of SOLVAY SA, the content of which is
incorporated herein by reference, especially the passages at page 2,
lines 18 to 25 and from page 15, line 32, to page 17, line 33.

[0099]The reaction for obtaining the mixture containing chlorohydrin,
hydrogen chloride and water may be carried out under stirring with a
stirring system such described in PCT/EP2008/056688 of SOLVAY SA, the
content of which is incorporated herein by reference, especially the
passages from page 1, line 30, to page 2, line 33, and from page 6, line
22, to page 14, line 31.

[0100]The reaction for obtaining the mixture containing chlorohydrin,
hydrogen chloride and water may be carried out in a liquid reaction
medium such described in WO 2006/106154 of SOLVAY SA, the content of
which is incorporated herein by reference, especially the passages from
page 1, line 29, to page 2, line 6, and from page 14, line 15, to page
17, line 10.

[0101]The reaction for obtaining the mixture containing chlorohydrin,
hydrogen chloride and water may be carried out in a reactor the feeding
of which is described in PCT/EP2008/052711 of SOLVAY SA, the content of
which is incorporated herein by reference, especially the passages from
page 1, line 29, to page 4, line 27, and from page 5, line 34, to page 9,
line 17.

[0102]In the process for obtaining the mixture containing chlorohydrin,
hydrogen chloride and water, a separation of the chlorohydrin from the
other compounds of the reaction mixture may be carried out such described
in WO 2005/054167 of SOLVAY SA, the content of which is incorporated
herein by reference, especially the passages from page 12, line 1, to
page 17, line 20.

[0103]In the process for obtaining the mixture containing chlorohydrin,
hydrogen chloride and water, a separation of the chlorohydrin from the
other compounds of the reaction mixture may be carried out such described
in WO 2006/100312 of SOLVAY SA, the content of which is incorporated
herein by reference, especially the passages at page 2, lines 3 to 10, at
page 20, line 28 to page 28, line 20.

[0104]In the process for obtaining the mixture containing chlorohydrin,
hydrogen chloride and water, a separation of the chlorohydrin from the
other compounds of the reaction mixture may be carried out according to
methods such described in WO 2006/100313 of SOLVAY SA, the content of
which is incorporated herein by reference, especially the passages at
page 2, lines 1 to 23, and from page 21, line 7, to page 25, line 25.

[0105]In the process for obtaining the mixture containing chlorohydrin,
hydrogen chloride and water, a separation of the chlorohydrin from the
other compounds of the reaction mixture may be carried out according to
methods such described in WO 2006/100314 of SOLVAY SA, the content of
which is incorporated herein by reference, especially the passages at
page 2, lines 6 to page 3, line 4, and from page 18, line 33, to page 22,
line 29.

[0106]In the process for obtaining the mixture containing chlorohydrin,
hydrogen chloride and water, a separation of the chlorohydrin from the
other compounds of the reaction mixture may be carried out according to
methods such described in WO 2006/100320 of SOLVAY SA, the content of
which is incorporated herein by reference, especially the passages from
page 1, line 30, to page 2, line 23 and from page 6, line 25, to page 10,
line 28.

[0107]In the process for obtaining the mixture containing chlorohydrin,
hydrogen chloride and water, a separation of the chlorohydrin from the
other compounds of the reaction mixture may be carried out according to
methods such described in WO 2006/100315 of SOLVAY SA, the content of
which is incorporated herein by reference, especially the passages at
page 2, lines 3 to 29, and from page 23, line 3, to page 24, line 13.

[0108]In the process for obtaining the mixture containing chlorohydrin,
hydrogen chloride and water, a separation of the chlorohydrin from the
other compounds of the reaction mixture may be carried out according to
methods such described in PCT/EP2008/052972 of SOLVAY SA, the content of
which is incorporated herein by reference, especially the passages from
page 1, line 31, to page 27, line 25.

[0109]In the process for obtaining the mixture containing chlorohydrin,
hydrogen chloride and water, when the chlorohydrin is dichloropropanol,
the dichloropropanol is generally obtained as a mixture of
1,3-dichloropropan-2-ol and 2,3-dichloropropan-1-ol isomers such
described in WO 2006/100319 of SOLVAY SA, the content of which is
incorporated herein by reference, especially the passages from page 23,
line 34, to page 24, line 29.

[0110]In the process for obtaining the mixture containing chlorohydrin,
hydrogen chloride and water, the chlorohydrin may contain halogenated
ketones such described in WO 2006/100311 of SOLVAY SA, the content of
which is incorporated herein by reference, especially the passages at
page 2, lines 22 to 34, and from page 22, line 8, to page 23, line 35.

[0111]In the process for obtaining the mixture containing chlorohydrin,
hydrogen chloride and water, water which have been in contact with
equipment walls may be treated such described in FR 08/56059 of SOLVAY
SA, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference, especially
the passages from page 1, line 7, to page 16, line 34.

[0112]When the mixture containing the chlorohydrin, hydrogen chloride and
water is obtained during the reaction between a polyhydroxylated
aliphatic hydrocarbon, an ester of a polyhydroxylated aliphatic
hydrocarbon or a mixture of the two, with a chlorinating agent that
contains hydrogen chloride, it is possible to find, among the compounds
which may come from the chlorohydrin manufacturing process,
polyhydroxylated aliphatic hydrocarbons, esters of a polyhydroxylated
aliphatic hydrocarbon, chlorohydrin esters, carboxylic acids, oligomers
of the polyhydroxylated aliphatic hydrocarbon that are partially
chlorinated and/or esterified.

[0113]In the use according to the invention, the mixture containing the
chlorohydrin, hydrogen chloride and water, is preferably obtained by
reaction glycerol, glycerol esters, or a mixture thereof, with a
chlorinating agent that contains hydrogen chloride, in the presence of a
carboxylic acid.

[0114]In this case, glycerol oligomers which may be partially chlorinated
and/or esterificated, are compounds that may be present in the mixture in
the use according to the invention. The content of these glycerol
oligomers per kg of the mixture containing the chlorohydrin, hydrogen
chloride and water, is usually higher than or equal to 1 g, commonly
higher than or equal to 10 g, often higher than or equal to 30 g, often
higher than or equal to 50 g and frequently higher than or equal to 75 g.
That content is usually lower than or equal to 400 g/kg, generally lower
than or equal to 300 g/kg, often lower than or equal to 200 g/kg and
frequently lower than or equal to 100 g/kg.

[0115]In this case, glycerol and glycerol esters are also compounds that
may be present in the mixture in the use according to the invention. The
content of glycerol (as is and/or in the form of esters), per kg of the
mixture containing the chlorohydrin, hydrogen chloride and water, is
usually higher than or equal to 1 g, commonly higher than or equal to 5
g, often higher than or equal to 10 g, often higher than or equal to 15 g
and frequently higher than or equal to 20 g. That content is usually
lower than or equal to 700 g/kg, commonly lower than or equal to 500
g/kg, in many cases lower than or equal to 400 g/kg, generally lower than
or equal to 300 g/kg, frequently lower than or equal to 150 g/kg, often
lower than or equal to 100 g/kg, specifically lower than or equal to 60
g/kg and in particular lower than or equal to 30 g/kg of the mixture
containing the chlorohydrin, hydrogen chloride and water.

[0116]The mixture containing the chlorohydrin, hydrogen chloride and water
may be single phase or multiphase. This mixture may, for example, contain
one or more liquid phases with optionally one or more solid phases in
suspension and/or one or more dispersed gaseous phases.

[0117]The mixture containing the chlorohydrin, hydrogen chloride and water
may be gaseous.

[0118]The mixture containing the chlorohydrin, hydrogen chloride and water
may be liquid. The mixture containing the chlorohydrin, hydrogen chloride
and water is often liquid.

[0119]In a first aspect according to the invention, which is preferred,
the composition is used as a material for coating an equipment. In this
case, at least one part of the surface of the equipment is covered by the
coating material. The surface of the equipment which is covered is
preferably that which is intended to be in contact with the mixture
containing the chlorohydrin, hydrogen chloride and water. This surface
may be an internal surface, an external surface or both. The entire
surface may be covered with the material. In this aspect, the composition
may be an enamel and is preferably an enamel. By enamel, one intends to
denote a fused inorganic vitreous superficial coating containing mainly
silicon oxide.

[0120]In one version of the first aspect, the material for coating the
equipment comprises at least two superposed layers, an inner layer and an
outer layer, and the outer layer comprises the composition used in the
application according to the invention. This outer layer is preferably
constituted of said composition.

[0121]In this version, the outer layer has a thickness, measured by
scanning electron microscopy, which is generally greater than or equal to
0.2 mm, often greater than or equal to 0.4 mm, frequently greater than or
equal to 0.6 mm and more specifically greater than or equal to 0.8 mm.
This thickness is generally less than or equal to 2.5 mm, often less than
or equal to 2 mm, frequently less than or equal to 1.6 mm and more
specifically less than or equal to 1.4 mm. A thickness of around 1±0.1
mm is particularly suitable. This layer may be obtained by a single
deposition or by several successive depositions.

[0122]In this version, the coating preferably comprises an intermediate
layer between the surface of the equipment and the outer layer of the
coating. The purpose of this intermediate layer is to promote the
adhesion of the outer layer to the surface of the equipment to be
covered. This intermediate layer generally comprises the same elements as
the outer layer but generally in different proportions.

[0123]In this version, the matter from which the equipment is formed may
be of any type. This material generally contains a metal or a metal
alloy. Steel is particularly preferred matter. Steel which are dedicated
to be enamelled are convenient matter of equipment.

[0124]In a second aspect, the composition is used as a constituent
material of the equipment, that is to say that the composition
constitutes the material from which the equipment is made.

[0125]In the application according to the invention, the term "equipment"
is understood to mean containers where compounds are stored, chemical
reactions and/or physical operations (rings, support grids and
distributor plates equipping distillation columns, reactor) are carried
out, tubing, valves, stirring and counter agitators, dip pipes (or siphon
pipes) and couplings that connect these containers, parts that ensure
leak tightness at these couplings, instruments needed to transfer
compounds between the containers, instruments and apparatus for measuring
the various parameters needed to control storage (pocket temperature
probe, for example), transfer of the compounds and to implementation of
chemical reactions and physical operations.

[0126]The invention also relates to a process for manufacturing a
chlorohydrin comprising several steps, in which a polyhydroxylated
aliphatic hydrocarbon, an ester of a polyhydroxylated aliphatic
hydrocarbon or a mixture of the two is reacted with a chlorinating agent
that contains hydrogen chloride, involving the use according to the
invention.

[0127]In the chlorohydrin manufacturing process according to the
invention, the steps are chosen from the steps of chemical reaction,
storage, supply, removal, transfer, chemical treatment or physical
treatment of compounds used or produced in the chlorohydrin manufacturing
process.

[0128]Among the reaction steps, mention may be made of all the reactions
that take place during the chlorohydrin manufacturing process such as,
for example, during the formation of chlorohydrin, and during the various
steps of the process.

[0129]Among the storage steps, mention may be made, for example, of
storage of the chlorinating agent that contains the hydrogen chloride and
storage of the polyhydroxylated aliphatic hydrocarbon, before use,
storage of the purges before treatment, storage of the chlorohydrin
produced, storage of the catalyst and of its preparations. Among the
chemical treatment steps, mention may be made, for example, of a
hydrolysis treatment intended to recover the catalyst and a treatment for
dissolving the catalyst. Among the physical treatment steps, mention may
be made, for example, of operations for separation via stripping,
distillation, evaporation, extraction, settling, and filtration, heat
exchange, heating and cooling operations.

[0130]Among the supply, removal or transfer steps, mention may be made,
for example, of operations of recycling, purging and discharging
effluents, transport of fluids between the various pieces of equipment in
which the chemical reactions, storage and chemical and physical
treatments take place.

[0131]The chlorohydrin obtained in the process according to the invention
may be subjected to a dehydrochlorination reaction to produce an epoxide.

[0132]The term "epoxide" is used here to describe a compound containing at
least one oxygen bridged on a carbon-carbon bond. In general the carbon
atoms of the carbon-carbon bond are adjacent and the compound may contain
atoms other than carbon and oxygen atoms, such as hydrogen atoms and
halogens. The preferred epoxides are ethylene oxide, propylene oxide,
glycidol and epichlorohydrin.

[0133]The epoxide is preferably epichlorohydrin and the chlorohydrin is
preferably dichloropropanol.

[0134]Therefore, the invention also relates to a process for manufacturing
an epoxide comprising the process for manufacturing a chlorohydrin
according to the invention, followed by a process for dehydrochlorinating
the chlorohydrin.

[0135]The process for dehydrochlorinating the chlorohydrin may be such as
described in WO 2005/054167 in the name of SOLVAY SA, the content of
which is hereby incorporated by reference, more specifically the passage
from page 19, line 12 to page 22, line 30, in WO 2006/100311 in the name
of SOLVAY SA, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference,
more specifically the passages at page 2, lines 22 to 25, and from page
22, line 28 to page 23, line 35, in WO 2008/101866 in the name of SOLVAY
SA, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference, more
specifically the passage from page 2, line 1 to page 13, line 16, in
PCT/EP2008/057247 in the name of SOLVAY SA, the content of which is
hereby incorporated by reference, more specifically the passages from
page 9, line 22 to page 13, line 31, in PCT/EP2008/057245 in the name of
SOLVAY SA, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference, more
specifically the passages from page 6, line 16 to page 7, line 22 and in
PCT/EP2008/059862 in the name of SOLVAY SA, the content of which is
hereby incorporated by reference, more specifically the passages from
page 1, line 17 to page 10, line 21.

[0136]The process for manufacturing the epoxide may be integrated in a
global scheme for preparing a chlorohydrin such as described in WO
2006/106155 in the name of SOLVAY SA, the content of which is hereby
incorporated by reference, more specifically the passages at page 2,
lines 26 to 31, and from page 22, line 10 to page 23, line 19.

[0137]The process for dehydrochlorinating the chlorohydrin may also be
carried out such as described in WO 2006/100318 in the name of SOLVAY SA,
the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference, more
specifically the passages at page 2, lines 23 to page 3, line 26, and
from page 24, line 17 to page 31, line 18.

[0138]The process for dehydrochlorinating the chlorohydrin may also
comprise a step of treating water effluents such as described in EP
08150925.9 in the name of SOLVAY SA, the content of which is hereby
incorporated by reference, more specifically the passages from page 1,
line 18 to page 12, line 10.

[0139]The epoxide obtained in the process according to the invention,
preferably epichlorohydrin, may be subjected to a reaction with a
compound containing at least one active hydrogen atoms in order to
produce epoxy resins or glycidyl ethers or glycidyl esters or products
usable as coagulants or wet-strength resins or cationizing agents or
flame retardants or ingredients for detergents or epichlorohydrin
elastomers.

[0140]Therefore, the invention also relates to a process for manufacturing
epoxy resins comprising the process for manufacturing the epoxide,
followed by a process in which the epoxide is subjected to a reaction
with a compound containing at least one active hydrogen atom.

[0142]The epichlorohydrin and the uses of epichlorhydrin may be such as
described in PCT/EP2008/057247 in the name of SOLVAY SA, the content of
which is hereby incorporated by reference, more specifically the passages
from page 1, line 18 to page 9, line 21, and from page 31, line 31 to
page 63, line 4 and in PCT/EP2008/057246 in the name of SOLVAY SA, the
content of which is hereby incorporated by reference, more specifically
the passages from page 1, line 24 to page 10, line 14, and from page 13,
line 3 to page 44, line 8.

EXAMPLES

[0143]The following compositions have been tested. They are made of steel
covered with enamel. They have been obtained from the following
manufacturers:

[0144]All the contents of the elements in the compositions are in g of
element per kg of composition. Those contents have been obtained by X-ray
Fluorescence analysis using the lithium tetraborate pearls method.

[0145]In a continuous type process, glycerol, hydrogen chloride and adipic
acid have been reacted for around 720 h in a steel reactor covered with
enamel so as to generate a mixture containing dichloropropanol,
monochloropropanediol, hydrogen chloride and water. The outer enamel
layer of the reactor has the composition 1 disclosed in Table 2.

[0146]The enamel of composition 1 was shiny before use.

[0147]The composition of the enamel of the reactor in contact with the
reaction medium comprised, per kg of composition, 77.5 g of Na, 9.6 g of
Al, 330 g of Si, 19.2 g of K, 14 g of Ca, 6.2 g of Co, 33.7 g of Zr, 6.3
g of Ba, 5.4 g of Fe, 12.1 g of Sr and 10.8 g of Zn. The composition
contained, in addition, magnesium and titanium, each in an amount less
than 5 g/kg.

[0149]The average pressure was 1.22 bar absolute and the average
temperature was 123° C.

[0150]After 720 h of operation (±30 days), the enamel composition 1 has
remained shiny (visual inspection) which is indicative of the absence of
corrosion of the enamel.

Examples 2 and 3

Not According to the Invention

[0151]The mixture containing dichloropropanol, monochloropropanediol,
hydrogen chloride and water of example 1 has been circulated through
equipment parts made of steel covered with enamel, the outer enamel layer
of such parts having the compositions 6 and 7 disclosed in Table 2,
during all the continuous process of example 1.

[0153]After 720 h of operation (±30 days), the enamel compositions 6
and 7 have become dull (visual inspection) which is indicative of a
corrosion of the enamel.

[0154]FIG. 1 top is a picture of the equipment part with enamel
composition 6 after the test of example 2. FIG. 1 bottom is a
magnification of area (c) of FIG. 1 top.

[0155]Area (a) of FIG. 1 is the area of the equipment part protected by a
gasket from the contact with the mixture containing dichloropropanol,
monochloropropanediol, hydrogen chloride and water.

[0156]Area (b) of FIG. 1 is the area of the equipment part in contact with
the mixture containing dichloropropanol, monochloropropanediol, hydrogen
chloride and water.

[0157]Rugosity measurements have been performed on dull and shiny areas of
the equipment part with enamel composition 6 using an interferometry
microscope. This microscope gives 3D images of the surface analyzed, from
which rugosity parameters have been obtained according to Method XP
E05-030-1 (AFNOR, French Association of Standardization, December 2003).
The surface area analyzed are 224×295 μm corresponding to
736×480 pixels and 112×147 μm corresponding to
736×480 pixels. The rugosity parameters are presented in Table 3.